Just like a chef must study cooking, so must a would-be connoisseur learn about the selection and serving of fine wines. This article will cover basic tips about how to choose the best wine for a meal and the right way to present it. Once you’ve got it figured out, dinner will never be the same again.
Particularly if you are just discovering wine, don’t buy too much of any one thing. You may want to grab several bottles of whatever you enjoy, but as you continue learning more, you are going to start to like different things. You probably won’t be interested in the wine that you enjoyed several months ago.
A lot of wines have foreign names. It is best to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of these names before you talk with experts about your wine tasting experiences. A wine expert will quickly label you as a novice if you are not familiar with the correct pronunciation of certain names.
Purchase your inexpensive wines from a warmer climate. While there is no one rule for buying wines, in general, those from warmer climates have the most flavor and appeal. Consider France, California and regions in Australia when making your selection. This is a great way to make a quick choice in the grocery store and come home with a bottle that your guests are likely to enjoy.
If you buy boxed wine, you can filter this into a nice glass decanter to improve the way that it looks. This is a great trick that you can use if you have to serve friends at a party or dinner. This will allow you to save money while giving off an elegant image.
Take a trip out to a vineyard. If there is one located close to you, make it a day trip. If not, consider taking a short vacation to go out and explore. An adventure such as this may help you appreciate and love wine even more than you did before.
Don’t base your opinion solely on that of an expert. Every person tastes wine differently, so let your taste buds be the judge whenever you can get your hands on a specific bottle. You may experience something very differently than the experts. You would have never known that without taking the leap.
Left over wine is wonderful for cooking. When you’re down to the bottom of the bottle, do not throw it out. Instead, reseal the bottle and save it for your next meal. You can use the wine to make a sauce for pasta, flavor meat or add to your special stew recipe.
Try having some merlot with your steak. The fat and umami flavors found in steak, especially medium-rare or rarer, need acidity to cut through their flavor profile. Red wine is already a popular pairing for meat. The heavier acidity and fruit of merlot can really liven up your steak dish.
Ask if you can taste a few wines before buying. Most wine stores will offer tastings to their customers on a regular basis or set schedule. By trying a few varieties in the store, you can increase your chances of walking out with a bottle you really love. This is a better way to shop than buying blindly.
Wine is good for cooking and for drinking by itself. Red wines can coax out the flavor of meat. White wine is great with seafood, during lunch or dinner. Just a little wine added during cooking brings out the flavors.
Want to know how grappa is made? Grape skins, called pomace, which remain from making wine are distilled. This ferments them to create a very strong beverage which is perfect as an aparatif or digestif. Want a real kick in your coffee? Add some grappa for a real wake-me-up in the morning!
Call to find out if you need reservations for wine tasting. It is a common misconception that you can just show up for a wine tasting, but there is usually limited space available. You don’t want to go to one just to be dismissed.
Study up on the right temperatures to drink certain wines. Yes, a few degrees can make a major difference when it comes to a wine’s overall flavor. You may find your favorite wine is perfect at room temperature, but a few degrees warmer or cooler lowers its quality. Keep notes on these peculiarities so that you can make the right choices down the line.
The joys of wine, once mastered can turn any meal into an occasion for celebration. Use these tips to understand how to complement a meal or party with the best wines and you will find any event more enjoyable. Like a great chef though, you’ve got to follow your own preferences too, as you learn.
